Electrical connector



sePt- 20, 1966 w. K. SHORTRIDGE 3,274,534

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed Dec. 2, 1963 United States Patent O 3,274,534ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR William K. Shortridge, Anaheim, Calif., assignor toGeneral Dynamics Corporation, Pomona, Calif., a corporation of DelawareFiled Dee. 2, 1963, Ser. No. 327,457 15 Claims. (Cl. 339-196) Thisinvention relates in general to electrical connectors and moreparticularly to an electrical connector particularly Well adapted foruse in circuit checkout of electronic modules.

The welded module concept which has evolved in electronic packagingdesign has created a need for a connector which will accurately makecontact with module terminals for checkout purposes without damaging theleads. Such a connector must be capable -of making simultaneous contactwith a plurality of m-odule terminals or leads which often vary inextent of protrusion from the module -face and are closely spaced.Further, the connector must effect such contact notwithstanding theinitial existence of oxidation or foreign particles upon the terminalsor contacts.

Accordingly it is an object of th-is invention to provide a connectorwhich meets the above requirements and which is, as well, of rugged andsimple design and is low in cost of manufacture.

The connecto-r of this invention employs for connection with theterminals of `a unit, for example a module, a plurality of biasedindependently movable contact pins lspace-d longitudinally of theconnector housing and arranged for movement in extension and retractiontransverse of the housing at an angle to its vertical transverse axis orcenterline. Certain of the pins are inclined t-o one side of theconnector housing vertical transverse ax-is and others to the oppositeside thus tending toward and away from convergence with pin extensionand retraction into the connector housing. This angular :disposition orcanting of the pins causes a wiping co-ntact with terminals of a modulejluxtapositioned for test, assuring removal of surface oxides andforeign particles and elimination of impedance and noise signals duringcircuit testing. The pins are independently movable and individuallybiased to protrude, when extended, from the lower surface of `theconnector housing to make terminal contact. Thus, the pins are adaptedto accommodate differences in surface protrusion of the variousterminals and variations in the orientation of the checkout connectorwith the face of the mo-dule undergoing test. The connector constructionfurther permits close spacing of adjacent pins and simultaneous contactwith correspondingly positioned module terminals which latter, withminiaturization ytechniques, are often closely spaced.

In addition to the foregoing, other objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent from the following description when takenin conjunction with the drawing, in which:

FIG. l is an 'isometric view of two connectors posi- 'tioned for modulecheckout, with one connector partially broken away to disclose interiordetails;

FIG. 2 is a view of a connector in. side elevation;

FIG. 3 is a view in section taken on the line 3 3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a connector.

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In FIG. 1 there are shown in testing position atop an encapsulate-dmodule 6 of rectilinear shape a pair of the connectors of thisinvention, each generally designated by the numeral 8. Protruding fromthe module upper surface 10 are two rows of spaced terminals or leads 12in circuit with -module components (not shown) to be tested. Connectors8 are each shown -aligned ywith the rows of terminals 12. Connectorcontact with these terminals is made through independently movable,angularly disposed or inclined contact pins 14. These pins when extendedprotrude from the lower surface 16 of the connector [housing 18. Thelower portion 20 of the connector housing 18 of each of the connectorsis tapered to `facilitate alignment of the connector with the terminalsof the unit, such as module 6, undergoing test. Extending upwardly fromthe connector housing upper surface 22 are a plurality of outputterminals 24 which `are in circuit with the contact pins 14 throughinternal leads 26.

As shown in greater det-ail in FIGS. 2 and 3, the connecto-r 8 of thisinvention functions through a plurality of similarly constructed circuitport-ions or channels which are spa-ced longitudinally of the connectorhousing 18 and which lare respectively comprised of a contact pin 14individually biased for independent movement and terminal contact, aninternal lead 26 electrically connected at one end to the pin 14, `andan output terminal 24 to which the other end of the lead is electricallyconnected. Output termin-als 24 may take various forms. Thus althoughshown 'in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 to make use of solder pin portions, there mayas well be employed other output arrangements, as for example, plugoutputs.

The housing 18 'which may conveniently be fabricated of high tensilestrength molded plastic is comprised of an upper portion 28, a centralhollow portion 30, and a pin receiving and Iguiding lower portion orblock 20. A rectangular recess 34 is provided in upper portion 28 forreceipt of block 36 wherein are received output terminals 24. Interposedbetween housing upper portion 28 and central portion 30 is a sheet 38,preferably of Mylar. The central portion 30 is provided with a pluralityof individual angularly shaped cavities 40 for reception andaccommodation of elbows 42 formed in the internal leads 26. Alsoprovided for reception off helical spring biasing means 44 are inclinedcavities 46 of cylindrical shape closed at their upper ends and open attheir lower ends. Completing the housing assembly is block member 20which is provided with inclined bores 48 and inclined slots 50 extendingoutwardly from the bore upper ends. Bores 48 are positioned in alignmentwith cavities 46 for close tting slidable receipt of pins 14.

It Will be noted that bores 48 and slots S0 are disposed in angularrelation with the vertical transverse axis of the housing 18 withadjacent such bores and slots being oppositely inclined with respect tothe housing vertical transverse axis. The bores and slots yarepreferably so disposed that the pin nose portion or lower extremity 52traverses the vertical transverse axis or centerline of the housingmidway in its allowable travel.

FIG. 3 provides a solid line showing of a typical channel with elongatedcylindrical contact pin 14 guidably received within bore 48 `and alignedcavity 46 for movement therethrough from a retracted position within thehousing to the extended position illustrated in FIG. 3. Compressionspring biasing means 44 bears upon the upaar-1,5 s4

per end of pin 14 to urge it into the extended position illustrated,with its nose portion 52 protruding a substantial distance beyond thehousing lower surface 16. A detent 54 of rectangular shape which may beintegral with pin 14 is guidably received for movement within slot S0and serves to limit the downward travel of the pin in extension and toprevent pin rotation during such movement. Pin 14 may be made from avariety of suitable materials, however, beryllium copper alloy has beenfound particularly satisfactory. The pin is provided with a sphericallyshaped nose portion 52 to assure contact with the terminals 12 of themodule 6 undergoing test. Internal lead 26, suitably of spring qualityberyllium copper sheet is formed with an elbow 42 Ito permit its exurein order to accommodate movement of the pin 14 as same extends andretracts. The lead is preferably resistance welded to detent 54. Bothmay then be goldplated and given a rhodium ash finish. Lead 26 issuitably welded in a similar fashion at its upper end t the outputterminal 24.

From the above description it will be observed that the connector whenbrought into proximity with the module 6 undergoing ytest engages theterminals 12 thereof through the protruding rounded or spherical noseportions 52 of its pins 14. Initial contact is made with the pins fullyextended, as in FIGURE 3. The connector is then pressed against themodule terminals so as to cause retraction of the pins against thebiasing forces of compression springs 44 to points approximately midwayof the total travel allowed the pins. In so doing the pins are caused towipe over the surfaces of the terminals 12 cleaning them of oxides andforeign matter and assuring good contact. As the pins retract into thehousing block member 20, springs 44 are compressed to increase thebiasing force upon the pins and assure contact with the terminals 12.Since such pins are independent in their movement and bias,irregularities in the height of projection of the module terminals 12above lthe surface 10 of the module are readily accommodated andelectrical contact is maintained at all terminals.

From the foregoing, it may be seen that this invention provides aconnector well suited to effecting contact with units undergoing test,particularly encapsulated modules lhaving surface disposed, closelyspaced terminals. Although the invention has been described with respectto a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that it may bealtered, changed or modified within the scope and spirit of the appendedclaims.

What I claim is:

1. An electrical connector comprising, in combination:

(a) a housing having an upper surface and a lower surface;

(b) output terminals positioned at said housing upper surface;

(c) contact pins spaced longitudinally of the housing and receivabletherein for independent movement angular to the housing vertical axis toand from retracted positions within said housing and extended positionsof protrusion from said housing lower surface;

(d) contact leads extending between each of said output terminals andrespective associated contact pins; and

(e) biasing means urging said pins independently into said positions ofprotrusion beyond the housing lower surface and permitting said pinsretraction into said housing, such that the pins Wipingly engage circuitterminals positioned thereagainst t-o force said pins into retractingmovement.

2. A11 electrical connector comprising, in combination:

(a) a housing having an upper surface and a lower surface;

(b) output terminals positioned at said housing upper surface;

(c) contact pins spaced longitudinally of the housing havingterminal-engaging lower nose portions and receivable within said housingfor movement at an inclination to vthe housing vertical axis frompositions -of retraction within said housing to positions of extensionand nose portion protrusion from said housing lower surface, said noseportions in said movement traversing the yhousing vertical axis;

(d) contact leads extending between each of said output terminals andrespective associated contact pins; and

(e) biasing means urging said pins independently into said positions ofextension and nose portion protrusion beyond the housing lower surfaceand permitting said pins retraction into said housing, such that thepins'wipingly engage circuit terminals positioned against the pin noseportions to force said pins into retracting movement.

3. An electrical connector comprising, in combination:

l(a) .a housing having |an upper surface and a lower surface;

(!b) output terminals positioned at said housing upper surface;

(c) contact pins spaced longitudinal-ly of the housing havingterminal-engaging lower nose portions and received within 4the housingfor independent movement from positions of retraction Within saidhousing to positions of extension Iand nose portion protrusion from saidhousing lower surface, said pin Imovement being angularly directed withrespect to .the housing vertical axis, adjacent pins being oppositelyangled with respect to said axis for direction toward each other andline convergence near said housing lower surface during said movement;

(d) contact leads extending between each of said output terminals andrespective associated contact pins; and

(e) biasing means urging said pins independently into said positions ofextension and nose portion protrusion beyond the housing lower surfaceand permit- :ting said p-ins retraction into said housing, such that thepins wipingly engage circuit terminals positioned against the pin noseportions lto force said pins into retracting movement.

4. An electric-al connector comprising, in combination:

(a) a housing having an upper surface and a lower surface and aplurality of cavities spaced longitudinally of the housing communicatingwith the housing lower surface, said cavities being inclined withrespect t-o the housing vertical axis with adjacent cavities being-oppositely inclined for upward divergence;

(b) output terminals positioned at said housing upper surface;

(c) contact pins having terminal-engaging nose portions receivable inclosely spaced relation within said cavities for guidance thereby inindependent movement from positions of retraction within said cavitiest-o positions of extension and nose portion protrusion from said housinglower surface;

(d) contact leads extending between each of said outputi terminals andrespective associated contact pins; an

(e) lbiasing means urging said .pins independently into said positionsof extension and nose portion protrusion beyond the housing lowersurface and permitting said pins retraction into said housing, such thatthe pins wipingly engage circuit terminals positioned against the pinnose portions t-o force said pins into retracting movement.

5. An electrical connector comprising, in combination:

(a) a housing having a tapered lower end portion and an upper surf-aceand a lower surface and a plurality of 'cavities spaced longitudinallyof the housing communicating with the housing lower surface, saidcavities being inclined with respect to .the housing vertical axis withadjacent cavities being oppositely inclined for upward divergence;

(b) output terminals positioned at said housing upper surface;

(c) contact pins having .terminal engaging nose portions receivable inclosely spaced relation with said cavities for guidance thereby inindependent movemen-t from positions of retraction within said housingto positions of extension and nose portion protrusion from said yhousinglower surface;

(d) contact leads extending between each of said output terminals andrespective associated contact pins `adapted for flex-ure with said pinmovement; and

(e) biasing means urging said pins independently into said positions ofprotrusion Ibeyond the housing lower surface and permitting said pinsretraction into said housing, such that the lpins wipingly engagecircuit terminals positioned against the pin nose portions .to Iforcesaid pins i-nto retracting movement.

6. An electrical connector comprising, in combination:

(a) a housing having an upper surface and a lower surface, said lowersurface being of a different dimension than said upper surface;

(b) -output terminals positioned in said housing upper surface;

(c) contact pins spaced longitudinally of said housing and positionedtherein for independent extension and retract-ion with respect t-o saidhousing lower surface; said pins having a longitudinal axis at an acuteangle with respect to a vertical axis of the housing;

(d) Icontact leads extending between each of said contact pins and arespective associated output terminal; and

(e) biasing means positioned in said housing and normally urging saidpins independently linto an extended position thereby protruding beyondsaid h-ousing lower surface Awhile permitting retraction into saidhousing, such that said pins wipingly engage circuit terminalspositioned the-reaga-inst to force said pins into said housing.

7. An electrical c-onnector comprising, in combination:

(a) a housing having a longitudinal axis, a transverse axisperpendicular to said longitudinal axis, and a vertical axisperpendicular to said longitudinal and said transverse axis, saidhousing having upper and lower surfaces, said upper surface being of agreater dimension than said lower surface;

(b) output terminals positioned in said upper surface;

(c) contact pins spaced longitudinally of said housing and receivabletherein, each having a longitudinal axis defining an acute angle withrespect t-o the vertical axis of said housing, and adapted forindependent movement angul'ar to the transverse axis of said housing toand from retracted positions within said housing and extended positionsof protrusion from said housing lower surface;

(d) contact leads extending between each of sai-d output terminals andrespective associated contact pins; and

(e) biasing means urging said pins independently into .said positions ofprotrusion beyond said housing lower surface yand permitt-ing said pinsretraction into said housing, such that said pins wipingly engagecircuit terminals positioned thereagainst to force said pins intoretracting movement.

8. An electrical connector comprising, in combination:

(a) `a housing having a transverse axis, and including an upper surfaceand a lower surface, said axis intersecting said lower surface at apredetermined point;

(b) terminal means operatively connected to said upper surface;

(c) contact means independently receivable within said housing and atleast partially protruding from .said lower surface, each having alongitudinal axis extending at an angle to and intersecting with saidpoint of intersection of said housing vertical axis and lower surface;

l(d) means for interconnecting each of said contact means with arespective terminal means; and

(e) means normally urging said contact means independently into saidprotruding position beyond the housing lower surface while permittingsaid contact Imeans to retract to within said housing, whereby said`contact means wipingly engage associated terminals positionedthereagainst during the retracting movement of said contact means intosaid housing.

9. An electrical connector comprising, in combination:

(a) a housing having an upper surface and a lower surface, the uppersurface being of a greater dimension than the lower surface, and avertical axis defining a point of intersection with a transverse taxis,t-he vertical and transverse axes being perpendicular with respect toone another;

(-b) output terminals positioned in said housing upper surface;

(c) contact pins spaced from one another longitudinal- `1y of saidhousing and receivable therein for independent movement angular to saidintersection point of said housing transverse Iand vertical axes to and`from retracted positions within said housing and extended positions ofprotrusion from said housing lower surface;

(d) contact leads extending between each of said output terminals andrespective associated contact pins; and

(e) biasing means urging said contact pins independently into saidpositions of protrusion beyond said housing lower surface and permittingsaid pins retraction into said housing, whereby said pins wipinglyengage associated circuit terminals positioned thereagainst during theretracting movement of said pins.

10. In combination with a mod-ule having terminal members, an electricalconnector comprising:

(a) -a housing having an upper surface and a lower surface;

(b) output terminals positioned in said housing upper surface;

(c) contact pins spaced longitudinally of said housing having lower noseportions adapted to contact said terminal members of said module andreceived within said housing for independent movement from positions ofretraction within said housing to posi- .tions of extension producingprotrusion of said nose portions from .said housing lower surface, saidpin being positioned in said housing so that said nose portions ofadjacent pins extend in a converging direction with respect to eachother;

(d) contact leads extending between each of said output terminals andrespective associated contact pins; 'and (e) biasing means urging saidpins independently into said positions of extension and nose portionprotrusion beyond said housing lower surface and permitting said pinsretraction into said housing, such that said pins wipingly engage saidmodule terminal members positioned against said pin nose portions to-force said pins into retracting movement.

11. The combination dedined in claim 10, wherein said module terminalmembers are provided with at upper surface portions.

12. The combination defined in claim 10, wherein said housing uppersurface is of a tgreater dimension than said housing lower surface.

13. The combination defined in claim 10, wherein said contact leads areconstructed of spring quality material to permit exure thereofduringmovement of said contact pins. Y

14. The electrical connector dened in claim 1, wherein said contact pinsinclude spherically shaped nose portions.

15. The electrical connector defined in claim 14 wherein said housingupper and lower surfaces are of dierent dimensions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 8 2,742,626 i4/1956 Collins et al.' 339-176 2,814,7-90 11/1957 Stoll et al. 339-151 XFOREIGN PATENTS 1,290,163 3/1962 France.

OTHER REFERENCES IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 6, No. 4,September 1963, page 10.

BOlBrBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner.

PATRICK A. CLIFFORD, JOSEPH D. SEERS,

Examiners

1. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A HOUSINGHAVING AN UPPER SURFACE AND A LOWER SURFACE; (B) OUTPUT TERMINALPOSITIONED AT SAID HOUSING UPPER SURFACE; (C) CONTACT PINS SPACEDLONGITUDINALLY OF THE HOUSING AND RECEIVABLE THEREIN FOR INDEPENDENTMOVEMENT ANGULAR TO THE HOUSING VERTICAL AXIS TO AND FROM RETRACTEDPOSITIONS WITHIN SAID HOUSING AND EXTENDED POSITIONS OF PROTRUSION FROMSAID HOUSING LOWER SURFACE; (D) CONTACT LEADS EXTENDING BETWEEN EACH OFSAID OUTPUT TERMINALS AND RESPECTIVE ASSOCIATED CONTACT PINS; AND (E)BIASING MEANS URGING SAID PINS INDEPENDENTLY INTO SAID POSITIONS OFPROTRUSIONS BEYOND THE HOUSING LOWER SURFACE AND PERMITTING SAID PINSRETRACTION INTO SAID